Reservations: 800-253-7328 or 801-261-1789

Cataract Canyon Rafting

“The landscape everywhere, away from the river, is of rock — cliffs of rock, tables of rock, plateaus of rock, terraces of rock, crags of rock — ten thousand strangely carved forms, … cathedral shaped buttes, towering hundreds or thousands of feet, cliffs that cannot be scaled, and canyon walls that shrink the river into insignificance, with vast hollow domes and tall pinnacles and shafts set on the verge overhead; and all highly colored.”

John Wesley Powell Exploration of the Colorado River of the West (1875)

June 2015 Cataract Canyon Dates Still Available: June 14-17 and June 28-July 1

Highlights of Cataract Canyon Rafting with Crate, Inc.

Rafting through the Famous Cataract Canyon Big Drop Rapids

Spectacular Hiking Opportunities

Red Rock Scenery and Slickrock Landscapes

Fascinating Geology

Brilliant Star-Filled Night Skies

Awe-Inspiring Sunsets

Ancestral Puebloan Ruins

River Running History

Big Spring Run-offs

Why Take a Rafting Journey Through Canyonlands National Park?

Canyonlands is the kind of place that captures your spirit. Each time you float down the river, hike up a side canyon or sit on a ledge, you give a piece of yourself to the land. Canyonlands National Park is cut by the Green and the Colorado rivers. Below their confluence is one of the most exciting stretches of whitewater rapids on the entire Colorado River, which runs through the Grand Canyon. Cataract Canyon’s rapids become bigger than those of the Grand Canyon during spring run-off. For those who want a less exciting ride, the rapids become much smaller during the lower water levels of the late summer and fall.

Cataract Canyon Rafting Trips

One of the most important discoveries of John Wesley Powell’s 1869 river expedition was the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. Powell camped for multiple nights, taking scientific readings and plotting the longitude and latitude where the two rivers come together. Today, the confluence is still a very powerful place. River runners generally consider the confluence the center of the rafting universe. After all, most of what has been learned about running rivers came directly from the Green and Colorado. And long before Powell traversed the rivers, Native Americans lived in the area. Remnants of their way of life include granaries and rock art.

Cataract Canyon – The Best Way to See Canyonlands National Park

If you’re looking for an all-around river adventure, our Cataract Canyon rafting trip is a great choice for your next vacation. There are many off-river hiking opportunities, the geology is exceptional, the camping is nice, and the scenery is beautiful. In addition, you will have the opportunity to observe wildlife that may include bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, ring-tailed cats, mountain lions, and many different birds.

The Beginning of Your Cataract Canyon Journey

The starting point for our rafting trips in Canyonlands is scenic Moab, Utah. We operate rafting trips on both the Green River side and Colorado River side of Canyonlands National Park. The trips end at Hite Marina on the upper stretches of Lake Powell. You will then conclude with a scenic flight back up the Colorado River and over Canyonlands National Park to the Moab airport.

Route

Cataract Canyon Canyonlands National Park Colorado River & Green River

Meet in Moab, Utah

The standard transportation package for all Cataract Canyon expeditions includes a scenic charter flight back to Moab at the conclusion of the river trip. The cost of the flight ($135) will be added to your account balance when we confirm your reservation. Other transportation arrangements are possible. Please contact us for more information.

3-Day
Motor

May 23-25, May 28-30, June 19-21, July 3-5
Special high water and holiday weekend trips.

$995.00

4-Day Motor

June 7-10, June 14-17, June 28-July 1, July 5-8, July 12-15
Our traditional deluxe motorized trip with more time for hiking and exploring off-river.

$1,295.00

6-Day Rowing

July 19-24, July 26-31, Aug. 2-7, Aug. 9-13
A more leisurely-paced trip using non-motorized 18-foot rafts.

July 5-16 – Special 12-Day Dory & Music Trip with river historian and author, Brad Dimock, and boat-builder/musician Andy Hutchins
Starts at Loma, Colorado and ends at Lake Powell. Note: The Loma to Westwater section will be operated through licensed Colorado Outfitter Adventure Bound.

$2,995.00

Cataract Canyon Schedule 2016

Trip Name and Area or Location

Length

Dates

Price

Cataract Canyon Canyonlands National Park Colorado River & Green River

Meet in Moab, Utah

The standard transportation package for all Cataract Canyon expeditions includes a scenic charter flight back to Moab at the conclusion of the river trip. The cost of the flight ($135) will be added to your account balance when we confirm your reservation. Other transportation arrangements are possible. Please contact us for more information.

3-Day
Motor

May 21-23, May 28-30, June 18-20, July 2-4, Sept. 3-5

$995.00

4-Day Motor

June 5-8, June 12-16, June 19-22, June 26-29, July 10-13
Our traditional deluxe motorized trip with more time for hiking and exploring off-river.

$1,295.00

6-Day Rowing

July 17-22, July 24-29, July 31-Aug. 5, Aug. 7-12
A more leisurely-paced trip using non-motorized 18-foot rafts.

$1,695.00

NOTE: All of these trips can be combined with a stay at the Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River, a horseback ride, and a Hummer tour if desired. To find out about the added cost of this option just call our office at (800)253-7328.

3-Day Cataract Canyon Rafting Expedition

The focus of our 3-day trip is experiencing the rapids of Cataract Canyon. In addition the trip allows for some off-river hiking and time to relax and enjoy Canyonlands National Park. During most water levels we use are sporty 22-foot motorized rafts. During extremely high water we break out our custom designed 35′ rafts. This trip generally originates in Moab and ends with a scenic charter flight back to Moab.

4-Day Cataract Canyon Rafting Expedition

Our 4-day itinerary allows plenty of time for some great off-river hiking, as well as extended periods of peace and quiet for relaxation and contemplation. During most water levels we use are sporty 22-foot motorized rafts. During extremely high water we break out our custom designed 35′ rafts. This trip generally originates in Moab and ends with a scenic charter flight back to Moab.

6-Day Cataract Canyon Rafting Expedition

Our 6-day itinerary uses oar rafts, and people powered paddle rafts if requested to navigate the river and rapids. Mid-summer is a great time for this trip as the water has dropped exposing nice sandy beaches and the river has warmed up allowing for swimming and playing in the water. The rapids are still exciting, but not as big as during the high flows in the spring.

This trip is continually a favorite amongst our guides who claim if you can only do three rafting trips in a lifetime this should be one of them along with our Spring Hiking trip in Grand Canyon, and one of our Alaska Adventures on the Tatshenshini or Alsek. This trip is hosted by wonderful interpreter, geologist, author, and guide Wayne Ranney. This trip traverses the Green River side of Canyonlands National Park and offers opportunities to hike deep into the Maze District and view the confluence of the Green and Colorado River from the Island in the Sky. This trip originates in Moab and starts and ends with charter flights over Canyonlands National Park.

12-Day Dory and Music Trip

This traverses the entire greater Canyonlands area in hard shelled Dory boats. The trip follows the course of the Colorado River from Loma, CO through Ruby, Horsethief, Westwater, and Cataract Canyon. The trip ends at the headwaters of Lake Powell. This trip is hosted by famous author, boatman, and storyteller Brad Dimock and Dory boat builder Andy Hutchinson.

Speak With A Cataract Canyon Rafting Expert

We’ve done our best to design a website that is informative and easy to use, but we realize you may still have some questions. If that’s the case, please call our office and get the information you need right away. Our staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They have been on all of the river trips offered by our company and can speak to you from experience. You won’t have to press a sequence of buttons, and there’s even a good chance one of our owners will answer the phone directly and assist you.

We try to respond to email in a timely fashion, and so if it’s more convenient for you to send us a note, just use this form:

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Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. We also check for messages over the weekend. Call us at (800) 253-7328